April 8, 2024

Today brought our country together in a once-in-a-lifetime way: We celebrated a solar eclipse. This rare celestial occurrence took some people to destinations that provided "totality," and others of us remained at home, content to view through streaming video. Or, if you were lucky enough to score some protective eclipse sunglasses at the Wheaton Public Library, you saw it yourself.

Which brings us to another milestone--it's National Library Week! We want to give a big shout-out to Betsy Adamowski, our library's director, as well as all her staff who help bring us programs for our members and library patrons through Ignite University. 

The library also recently hosted a program by the Honorable Bonnie Wheaton, Chief Judge of the 18th Judicial Court of DuPage County, who spoke on "Women Judges: A Necessarily Brief History." Judge Wheaton's presentation will knock your socks off. You can watch it here.

With appreciation for our librarians in Wheaton and around the world~

[Photo: Posing with Judge Wheaton at our Plaza del Zocolo event in 2021 at the WPL]

Main Sponsorships Available for Cream of Wheaton

Are you eager to get your name out into the public? Consider becoming a main sponsor for The Cream of Wheaton. This signature event, hosted in partnership with the Wheaton Park District, provides you with an opportunity to elevate your visibility throughout this four-day festival.

Sponsorship increases your organization's exposure, provides networking opportunities and allows you to engage with the community in a vibrant atmosphere of music, food, and entertainment. Reach 30,000 people by getting your name up in lights as a sponsor--read more here about sponsorship levels available to you. Register now to get maximum exposure at our biggest event of the year.

Is a Business Expo booth of interest to you? Click here to sign up--space is limited. And volunteer slots are filling up fast. Here's a link to get you and/or your team signed up for a shift at the Beer Tent, at the ticket sales booth or helping at the information booth. There's something for everyone!

Update On Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Topic of April Luncheon Speaker

Join Wheaton Chamber members and guests at April's monthly luncheon when Madhu Krishnamurthy, diversity editor and assistant city/business editor for the Daily Herald, will present "An Update on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: What Businesses Want (and Need) to Know." The luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m. (registration) to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, at the DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley in Wheaton.

Ms. Krishnamurthy has been a journalist with the Daily Herald Media Group for 23 years where she has covered human interest, local government, health, politics, religion and diversity. She chairs the media company's editorial diversity committee and has covered issues facing Muslim, Arab, Black, Latino and Hindu communities in the suburbs. Ms. Krishnamurthy will give an update on trends in DEI that affect businesses in today's ever-changing work landscape.

Please register here for the luncheon. Interested in sponsoring the luncheon with an Expo table, or handing out your own materials on the tabletops? Click here to learn about luncheon sponsorship opportunities.

Circle Your Calendar for Business After Hours

This month's Business After Hours will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, at the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, 301 W. Roosevelt Road. April's BAH is hosted by the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, chaired by Courtney Tedrick of the Wheaton Public Library and Pastor Jared Olson of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Our sponsor for this month is Ferrari Plumbing--thanks to Luda and Wes Ferrari for your support!

There is no fee for our Business After Hours but we do ask that you please register so we can know how many to plan for. Drinks and light hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Camerata Chicago Hosts Concerts, One at Armerding

Camerata Chicago, a chamber orchestra serving Chicago with musicians of global distinction, will host three concerts April 12, 13 and 14 featuring Marta Aznavoorian performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3. The program also includes Dvorak's "New World Symphony" and Rossini's "William Tell Overture," two familiar crowd-pleasers. Maestro Drostan Hall is conductor.

Concerts will be held in Evanston April 12, in Wheaton at the Armerding Concert Hall on the campus of Wheaton College April 13, and in Hinsdale April 14. For more information and to buy tickets, please click here. Camerata Chicago has graciously offered Wheaton Chamber members a 25% ticket discount with code WHCH.

Pianist Wael Farouk Joins New Philharmonic for Brahms Concerto Duo at the MAC

The McAninch Arts Center presents "Brahms Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2" performed by soloist Wael Farouk and the New Philharmonic. Two performances will take place at the Belushi Performance Hall in Glen Ellyn on Saturday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 14, at 3:00 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here.

Donate Blood with Fairhaven Wealth Management

Fairhaven Wealth Management will host its annual "Tax Day Blood Drive" on Wednesday, April 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at their office located at 104 E. Roosevelt Rd. in Wheaton. Join them in making a difference by donating blood to help those in need. For more information and to RSVP, please click here.

Cosley Zoo Run for the Animals Set for June 1

Celebrate Cosley Zoo's 50th anniversary by signing up for the Cosley Zoo Run for the Animals on June 1 at Memorial Park. Choose from 5K/10K races starting at 7:30 AM and a Kids' 1/2 Mile at 8:45 AM. Registration is $35 for adults and $20 for kids until April 30. Participants get a long-sleeve t-shirt, refreshments, and a finisher medal. Stick around for post-race entertainment and Cream of Wheaton festivities. For more information, please click here.

The Local Features Dr. Brian Madvig, Counselor and Golfer

The most recent episode of "The Local," a podcast hosted by Marc Horner of Fairhaven Wealth Management in partnership with the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, features Dr. Brian Madvig of Arbor Clinical Associates.

Marc and Vickie Austin, Chamber president and co-host of the podcast, sit down with Dr. Madvig to learn about the evolution of his counseling business practice, the perils and pleasures of golf and accessibility of therapy for helping people with relationships and a spiritual life. Listen to the latest episode of The Local here.

Please Tell Us Your News

Our Wheaton Chamber members have a lot going on and you have a lot to say! Read press releases from our members, learn about job openings and see our Chamber members' "Hot Deals." Got a job posting or a special you'd like to share? Contact us.

The City of Wheaton to Implement Parking Fee Changes on April 1

Effective April 1, the City of Wheaton will introduce changes to leased and daily fee parking, impacting commuters, downtown employees, and garage permit holders. Parking rates, unchanged for over 15 years, will be adjusted to maintain City parking facilities. Changes include premium daily fee zones near train stations, a $0.50 increase for many daily fee spaces, and modifications to leased permit fees. Notably, Lot 7 shifts from permit to daily fee parking, situated near the College Avenue train station. More information is available here.

Downtown Wheaton Association Hosts Character Trail

The Downtown Wheaton Association invites all to embark on a Character Trail adventure on April 13. Encounter princesses, superheroes, and cartoon characters stationed throughout downtown Wheaton. Capture photos, gather autographs, and create memories amidst familiar surroundings. The event will take place Saturday, April 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. throughout downtown Wheaton. For more information and a list of attending characters, please click here.

Wheaton Park District Seeks Summer Aquatics Staff

The Wheaton Park District is seeking Summer Aquatics Staff, including water park Staff (ages 15+), lifeguards (ages 15+), and swim instructors (ages 14+), for positions at Rice Pool & Water Park and Northside Family Aquatic Center. More information can be found by reading this flyer or clicking here to view all job openings with the Wheaton Park District.

Check out the latest job postings from the DuPage Foundation, Gary United Methodist Church, the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, and the Wheaton Park District here.

If you have a job opening, please enter your information into your member profile under "Jobs." Your listing will be included on the Chamber website and featured in our Monday Matters newsletter.

This week:

• Arts, Business & Culture Committee will take place on Tuesday, April 9, at 4:00 p.m. at the Wheaton Chamber office. Debbie Venezia of Arts DuPage is the chair and Bari Ericson of the Wheaton Public Library is co-chair. Click here to register.
• Members Matter will take place on Wednesday, April 10, at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. This virtual orientation, held twice a month, is an overview of member benefits and is ideal for new members, current members, and anyone thinking about joining the Chamber. Please register here.
• The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee will take place on Thursday, April 11, at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom. Courtney Tedrick of the Wheaton Public Library is chair and Pastor Jared Olson of St. Paul Lutheran Church is co-chair. As with our other committees, please register here if you plan to attend so that we may send you meeting notices, the Zoom link and reminders.
• The Economic Development Consortium will take place on Thursday, April 11, at 1:00 p.m. at the City of Wheaton's Gamon Meeting Room. Any constituent of the City of Wheaton, the DWA, or the Wheaton Chamber interested in economic development is invited to attend. If interested in participating, please contact Vickie Austin of the Wheaton Chamber.
• Finance Committee Meeting will take place on Thursday, April 11, at 3:30 p.m. via Zoom. Helen Demsher, CPA, of Mathieson, Moyski, Austin & Co., LLP is chair.

Coming up:

• April's Business After Hours will be hosted by the DEI Committee from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16. Please RSVP here.
• The "Par-TEE on the Par Three" committee will meet at 1:00 p.m. on Wed., April 17, at the Wheaton Chamber. If you're interested in serving on the committee, please contact Vickie Austin.
• Our April monthly luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, at the DuPage County Historical Society. Madhu Krishnamurthy of the Daily Herald will present "An Update on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: What Businesses Want (and Need) to Know." RSVP here.

In Honor of Librarians AND the Eclipse

Found these photos on Facebook of Wheaton Public Library librarian Courtney Tedrick, director of adult services, in a post sharing two eclipses with her son Sean in 2017 (left, in utero) and today.

How it started...

How it's going...